West Park News 7.2011

BY MAYOR ERIC H. JONES JR.

DDuring the time I haveserved as your Mayor, Ihave discovered theimportance of creating asense of community inWest Park. As a youngcity, it is still our job asyour Mayor and Com-

missioners to continue building a positiveperception and feeling of value around theCity and its activities. With that in mind, Iwould like to take this opportunity to urgeall West Park residents to attendCommission meetings and communityevents. Your City staff works tirelessly yearround to plan and host several events here inWest Park.

Though it doesn’t officially start on thecalendar until June 21, everyone aroundthese parts knows summer began in WestPark at about 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, June9, when all the kids came streaming out ofschool with smiles on their faces. I, for one,couldn’t be happier, because this summerWest Park is really going to shine. Summeris a time for family, when kids are out ofschool; parents need to take that break withtheir children. It’s an opportunity to createnew memories - your own history.

Again this year, we’re offering summercamps for our local youth at Mary SaundersPark and McTyre Park starting June 13.We’re very excited to be able to offer par-ents our CAMP B.R.A.V.E.R.Y Programfor summer fun right in their backyards. Wealso have summer activities at our local

Boys and Girls Club. I feel these programs,along with our Hurricane Football League,church basketball leagues, and other optionsfor summer sports, represent a huge leapforward in the types and quality of servicefor our kids. We can be excited about what’sbeing offered within the boundaries of ourcity! We’ve come a long way in just sixshort years of planning for a full scale recre-ation department, and the future is lookingvery bright. Please check the City calendarfor news about exciting summer events thatour Park and Recreation Department hasscheduled. We hope you will take advantageof these great opportunities, and enjoy themwith your children, friends, and neighbors.The month of June is also a time to celebrateFathers. I hope many of you joined us atMcTyre Park for our Father’s DayCelebration.

On another note, summertime alsobrings three things that I’m not particularlyfond of – very hot weather, the beginning ofhurricane season and city budget planningmeetings. We can’t do too much about theformer two, short of air conditioners andhurricane preparation, but the latter certain-ly benefits from our attention and planning.We face some serious challenges for thenext few years. But I am optimistic that, aswe have in the past, we shall face these inthe future. In addition to our normal sched-ule of meetings, be on the alert for ourupcoming budget meeting.

Finally, protect your family by beingprepared this hurricane season. Below is achecklist from the National HurricaneCenter:

AARREE YYOOUU RREEAADDYY??BBEEFFOORREE HHUURRRRIICCAANNEE SSEEAASSOONN……

• Determine safe evacuation routes inland.• Learn locations of official shelters.• Check emergency equipment, such asflashlights, generators and battery-poweredequipment such as cell phones and yourNOAA Weather Radio All Hazards receiv-er.• Buy food that will keep and store drink-ing water.• Buy plywood or other material to protectyour home if you don’t already have it.

• Trim trees and shrubbery so branchesdon’t fly into your home.• Clear clogged rain gutters and down-spouts.• Decide where to move your boat.• Review your insurance policy.• Find pet-friendly hotels on your evacua-tion route.

Please feel free to contact us or stop byCity Hall anytime and let us know howwe’re doing. We’d love to hear from you.

Enjoy your summer!

CCoommmmuunniittyy NNeewwssppaappeerrssJULY 2011

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WEST PARK NEWS

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Hot Fun in the Summertime

BY VICE MAYOR BRUNSON

I know all of you—par-ents, grandparents, aunts,uncles, guardians andfriends, are reflecting on thefact that just yesterday, youryoung man or woman wasbeginning his or her high

school career. It seems like just last weekthey were attending their very first day ofschool, and just reflecting back in time, itseems like at a blink of an eye, they werecoming home from the hospital as a new-born.

I know while watching your graduatemarch there was a lump in your throat anda tear in your eye. Both physical reactionsare evidence of your pride—pride in a childyou stayed up with all night when theywere sick, a child you have stood by everyminute, and with your heart and soul, havesung happy birthday to countless times.

It has been both a challenge and a joyto raise your child, and graduation is a veryspecial day that marks their entry into theadult world. A high school diploma or acollege degree will give each of these excit-ed, exuberant young people an opportunityto be the best person they can be.

AA JJOOBB WWEELLLL DDOONNEECongratulations to our graduates on

successfully completing your high schoolcareer and/or college experience. Youhave all worked very hard and stand on thebrink of your next journey in life. But real-ize that the real work begins now. Youhave great lives to develop. A simple life’splan with realistic goals will allow you toachieve your full potential. It’s all up toyou.

Your lives will be defined by the goodchoices you make each day. That is whycarefully thinking about what you believein and establishing a moral compass is cru-cial in the upcoming years. This maysound like a cliché, but it is important to

remember…every morning, get up, look inthe mirror and take a few seconds to makea daily appraisal of your life. You are theonly person responsible for your day-to-dayactions or your success. Each day you canmake significant choices to ensure yourfuture success. It’s all up to you.

Always be aware of your personalsafety. Never compromise on this.Reckless or careless behavior leads toharmful results. Remember that your apti-tude and perseverance, combined with yourknowledge and skills will determine yourcareer path. Prepare yourself, so that youwill have great and interesting career choic-es. Take time to build personal relation-ships, which will lead to strong friendshipsand lasting family structures. No one ishappy in life unless they have significantrelationships with people they love andwho love them.

BBEE TTHHEE BBEESSTTIt is easy to ask each of you to become

the best person you can be, and to put yourbest effort into everything you do. Doingyour best means performing to the highestpossible degree of competence. It meansnever having to question whether you putmaximum effort into anything you attempt.If you are able to hold yourself to this stan-dard, you will never have any regret in life.It will not matter whether you finish first orlast; it will not matter whether you earn thebonus or not; it will not matter whether you

finish with a 4.0 grade point average or a2.5 grade point average. What will matteris that you have the realization that you per-formed to the highest degree of your abili-ty. Everyone who comes into contact withyou will realize this, will value this, andwill be inspired by your example.

PPRRIIDDEEConsistently performing to the best of

your ability will promote an enormoussense of pride in everything you do. Prideis a feeling of immense satisfaction arisingfrom an association, or acts or deeds thatyou perform, towards a good or laudablegoal. When you perform at your best anddevelop a keen sense of pride in your worthas an individual, you will receive therespect of all who come into contact withyou.

RREESSPPEECCTTRespect is a word that is used constant-

ly, but what is the concept of respect? It isbeing admired by your peers and held inhigh esteem by all. It is to be honored in amanner that illustrates that you have com-mitted yourself to being the absolute bestperson that you can be. In order to receiverespect however, you must also understand

the concept of giving respect. This con-cept means always according anyone youcome into contact with the proper courtesyand acceptance that you wish to receive aswell.

WWEE AARREE AALLLL CCOONNNNEECCTTEEDDThere is no doubt that the City of West

Park is one big family. We are all inter-connected in some fashion. We each rely onone another for everything from friendshipsto services in our society. We must allacknowledge each person’s value to oursocial fabric and respect one another.Striving for the best, personal pride and fos-tering respect person-by-person shoulddefine your legacy to our City.

YYOOUURR SSUUCCCCEESSSS IISS CCOOMMPPLLEETTEELLYY UUPP TTOO YYOOUU!!

Finally, have your life experiences,continue your education or career training,or serve your country, and then come backhome and help continue to build a greatdynamic West Park. We will welcome youhome with open arms.

God bless each of you and your fami-lies, and congratulations again on your aca-demic success!

Page 2 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM July 2011

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Congratulations to our 2011 Graduates

July 2011 COMMUNITYNEWSPAPERS.COM Page 3

Well, summer is here!That means vacations, noschool, and of course,hurricane season. Wewill periodically giveupdates on things youshould have available tobest prepare for a storm.

As I look around the community, I amencouraged to see how residents showappreciation for our City and I’m verypleased at the beautiful ambiance it hastaken.

As a reminder to all parents, there areseveral exciting programs being offered tohelp keep our children safe this summer.Please take advantage of these programs.On that note, I also wish to share somevaluable information about personal safetythat I learned from Sheriff Al Lamberti,who spoke at the recent Lake ForestHomeowners Association (HOA) Meeting.He spoke about crime prevention, and gavethe following useful tips:

Avoid mail identity theft by using ashredder to destroy sensitive documents.Avoid giving personal information over thetelephone.

The Sheriff also spoke about theimportance of hurricane preparedness. Itwas one of the most informative meetings Ihave attended at an HOA in some time. It’sa good idea to listen out for guest speakersat all our community HOA meetings. Itdoesn’t matter where you live; they are inyour City and a particular speaker may bejust who you need to hear from. Sometimeswe need to be reminded of how vulnerablewe really are. I sympathize with the Buddfamily, who recently were victims of theft.I am hoping the person or people responsi-ble will have enough compassion to returntheir dog, Kaycee. We need to look out foreach other. If you see or have any informa-tion about the whereabouts of Kaycee,please call the police.

Being the voice for the people means Iwill represent your needs from here to theWhite House. As we work throughout the

City, I consider how we began and wherewe are today. I feel each Commissionmember is doing a phenomenal job at mak-ing sure you are served in a respectableway. Each commissioner has a passion thatthey take on. For example, mine has been tobe your voice. I have received letters thank-ing me for my response time when workingfor our residents. You can make an appoint-ment to sit down and we can talk and workout whatever your issue might be.

I am pleased that good things are hap-pening that will benefit our residents. In arecent meeting at Broward County, ourDistrict Representative, CommissionerBarbara Sharief, shared that she has allocat-ed over $90,000 to help the West Parkhealth facility function more effectively.For that, we say a heartfelt Thank You toCommissioner Sharief!

As we prepare for the summer break, Itruly believe that at this juncture in theCity, we are on an upward path. Everyoneis working hard and you can see this goodwork being carried out throughout the City.

If you have any questions or any issuesyou wish to discuss, please feel free to callme at 954.889-4156.

FROM THE DESK OF COMMISSIONER MACK

Photo courtesy of the Budd Family.

BY VICE MAYOR BRUNSON

When West Parkkids are out of schoolfor their annual sum-mer break, followingsome basic chil-dren’s summer safetytips can keep themsafe at the pool,beach, mall, at home

or on vacation.

SSIIMMPPLLEE SSAAFFEETTYY TTIIPPSSKids can get into all sorts of trouble if

left to their own devices, so it’s up to theirparents or guardians to take steps to keepthem as safe as possible. The following aresome likely places children will be duringthe summer and safety tips everyone shouldknow.

POOLS: Nothing says summertime fun likehanging out at the pool, whether it’s in yourown backyard, the neighborhood pool or at

a friend’s. Steps parents can take to ensuretheir child’s safety while swimming are:

• Swim lessons: While knowing how toswim won’t always prevent water acci-dents, this can go a long way toward stay-ing safe in the water. Even very young chil-dren can be taught to float. Parents shouldstill supervise their kids in pools, however,and not rely solely on items like waterwings to keep their kids safe. • The buddy system: No one should swimalone, even accomplished swimmers. Younever know when a cramp could hit andcripple you in the water. Especially for chil-dren, swimming with a buddy can preventdrowning; if one person is in trouble, afriend can go or call for help. • No horseplay: Running or rough housingaround a slippery pool deck can lead toaccidents. Make sure your children knowthat running isn’t acceptable.

BEACHES: For families who want to spenda day or week of vacation at the beach, thesame pool safety tips apply, but you’ll alsowant to make sure your children know: • To wear a life jacket: If you boat or Jet

Ski in the ocean, wearing lifejackets is important. Set agood example by wearingone yourself.

HOME: If both parents workoutside of the home and chil-dren are old enough to pre-pare their own meals or surfthe Internet, some areas ofconcern may be: • SSttrraannggeerrss:: Children shouldbe taught nneevveerr to answer thedoor if their parents aren’t

home. Also, if they answer the phone anddon’t know who’s on the other end of the

line, they shouldnneevveerr say that theirparents aren’t home.Saying “they’re notavailable to come tothe phone” is betterpractice. • TThhee ssttoovvee:: Onlychildren who are oldenough to capablyuse the stove shouldbe allowed to cook.Even so, becauseaccidents can hap-pen to anyone, theyshould know wherethe fire extinguisheris located in theevent of a fire. They should also know theirescape route.• IInntteerrnneett ssaaffeettyy:: Many children will spenda lot of their summer vacation online, chat-ting with friends or playing games.

Unfortunately, child predators use theInternet as well, trying to lure children.Make sure your child knows not to divulgeany personal information, such as name,address, phone number, city, etc. Also,using a firewall or other computer pro-grams to prevent a child from accessingpornography is a good idea.

MALLS: When children are old enough towalk the malls without their parents, theyoften relish this independence and want tohang out with their friends. It’s smart prac-tice to discuss mall dangers such as: • SSttrraannggeerrss:: Child predators sometimes lurkaround malls, knowing that young kids aresusceptible to ruses such as helping some-one find a lost pet or friend. Parents shouldcaution their children to avoid anyone they

don’t know and nneevveerr to walk off with any-one, whether they know the person or not,without their parents’ permission.

VACATIONS: If you travel during thesummer, having a plan in case a child getslost is smart practice. Some parents have afamily password, so if a child is separatedfrom family and an individual claims toknow where the child’s family is, theymust know the password. It is eevveenn bbeetttteerr totell your child to look for a gift shop orinformation desk, speak with someone, andwait there. Discussing all of this before-hand, using family passwords, and explain-ing to children where to go if they get lostwill go a long way toward preventing disas-ter.

Safety is Everyone’s ConcernFollowing basic children’s summer

safety tips can ease your mind when yourchildren are with you and when they’re not.This way, summer can be fun and relaxingfor the kids and for you.

MMEESSSSAAGGEE FFRROOMM VVIICCEE MMAAYYOORR BBRRUUNNSSOONN

Summer Safety Tips For Children


New K-4 and K-5 Learning Center. Call for a private visit.Visit our website and apply online www.conchitaespinosa.com or call 305.227.1149.

Conchita Espinosa Academy

Applications are now available for the K-4 through 8th grade 2011-2012 academic year.

Bringing out the extraordinary in every child


BY COMMISSIONER SHARON FYFFE

HHURRICANE SEA-SON HAS ARRIVED!It is time to do what youhave to do to get yourfamily and your houseready for a possible hur-ricane. Do not hesitate.Think about what youwant to do and make it a

priority. Make yourself a checklist ofneeds for your family and be ready.

The County Commissioner for ourDistrict Eight is Barbara Sharief. Recently,I attended an informal meeting of Mayorsand Commissioners from each of the citieslocated in District Eight. Mayors andCommissioners present were fromPembroke Pines, Miramar, HallandaleBeach, Southwest Ranches, Weston andWest Park. Also present was the BrowardCounty Administrator, Bertha Henry. Shediscussed four issues, number one beingthe County Budget for next fiscal year. Sheexplained that there will have to be cuts inthe budget again but she thought therewould be no cuts in the areas of transporta-tion and human services. And she washopeful that money will be found to keep afew county libraries open on Sundayagain. She also was hopeful there would beno jobs lost due to the cuts.

The second issue she discussed wasfire and police dispatch services. TheCounty is looking to have a “regional dis-patch system” which will eliminate dupli-cation and save money. The County isready to pay for the infrastructure to createa regional system, but who pays for thedispatchers? That seems to be the issueright now.

Third is the issue of solid waste. Atpresent the price for next fiscal year will be$72.57 to dump one ton of garbage in thelandfill but negotiations are still inprogress.

And fourth is the redistricting process.Our District Eight has the most residents ofall districts in Broward County. Districtpopulations are calculated by assigningcensus block data to district boundaries.The average population of a district inBroward County is 194,229 people.District Eight has 257,312 people in it.Some redistricting will have to be done.

Following the presentation by Ms.Henry, each participant was given anopportunity to address particular issues ofconcern in their city, such as red light cam-eras, economic development, absentee bal-lots, etc.

Thank you, Commissioner Sharief, forthis wonderful opportunity to meet with

you, to hear from the CountyAdministrator first hand and to networkwith each other. I hope we can do thisagain.

Each month I attend the League ofCities’ general meeting. Most residents donot know that we have a League of Citiesin Broward County, and that we have theFlorida League of Cities and the NationalLeague. The League is just that, citiesbanded together with the common purposeof strengthening our combined efforts inorder to support our citizens and protectour independence. There are 31 cities inBroward County. The League is a tremen-dous resource; they offer good informationand good training. Quoted from RhondaCalhoun, Executive Director of theBroward League of Cities, “A knowledge-able, unified voice of local elected officialsin Broward County is a potent and dynam-ic force.”

Several residents have called meregarding the “work” presently being doneon Hallandale Beach Boulevard. FDOT isthe agency doing the work. They will bere-paving the road, re-timing the lights andre-landscaping the medians. It should looknice when it is done.

GREEN, GREEN, GREEN is poppingup all over. Cities across our country havebeen gearing themselves up to conserva-tion of energy, conservation of water, recy-cling and clean air. Congratulations to Mr.Bill Moritz from the Miami Gardens areaand Ms. Karen Goldstein from the LakeForest area, who were recently appointedto the West Park Green City AdvisoryCommittee. Each commissioner willappoint one resident to this Committee.Please call City Hall at 954-989-2688 ifyou are interested in serving.

Remember, the City Commission doesnot meet during the month of July but CityHall and all City Departments will remainopen.WWHHAATT’’SS NNEEWW WWIITTHH TTHHEE BBRROOWWAARRDDCCOOUUNNTTYY CCUULLTTUURRAALL AARRTTSS CCOOUUNN--CCIILL??

On June 1, the 22001111 AArrttss TTeeaacchheerr oofftthhee YYeeaarr was chosen. Congratulations toJulia Perlowski, Drama Teacher atPompano Beach High School. A recogni-tion ceremony will be held on October 19,2011 at 6:00 p.m. at the Broward Centerfor the Performing Arts.

Summer is beginning. The days arelong and warm and school is out. Be safe,everyone. Call on me if you have anyissues of concern. Let’s talk about it andresolve it. If we have not met yet, let’smake it a point to do so. Call anytime, 954-963-7745.

FROM THE DESK OF COMMISSIONER FYFFE


Former major league center fielder andWest Park native, Oddibe McDowell, has beenselected as one of seven finalists chosen to beinducted in the 2011 College Baseball Hall ofFame at the July 3 ceremony in Lubbock, Texas.McDowell is the son of Mary and OddibeMcDowell, Sr., residents of West Park for morethan 50 years. He is currently head baseballcoach at Everglades High School in PembrokePines. He attended Miami-Dade College beforetransferring to Arizona State in 1983.

From 1983-84, McDowell played for theArizona State Sun Devils, batting 30 homeruns and 31 doubles. His 1984 season, in whichhe hit .405 and 23 home runs, earned him theGolden Spikes Award (college baseball’sHeisman). He was the first Arizona State play-er to have his number retired and in 1984, hewas also a member of the first U.S. BaseballOlympic team. His professional baseball careeralso included playing for the Texas Rangers,where he was the first player to ever hit for thecycle in the history of the team.

With all his experience and achievements,McDowell remains humble and modest. Hestates it’s not about him or his accomplish-ments. He moved back to Florida and nowresides in Hollywood and spends his timecoaching and tutoring. “There’s nothing more

rewarding than working with kids,” saysMcDowell. “I try to impart good things to them

and help them become better students andballplayers.”

Everglades’ junior catcher, EdwardMilian, says he didn’t even know aboutMcDowell’s upcoming Hall of Fame induction.“I heard some rumors about it, but I didn’t real-ly know for sure,” says Milian. “He doesn’t talkabout that kind of stuff to us.” Milian, with a.419 batting average, says it’s humbling to beplaying for a coach with such a legacy.

“Leaving a lasting mark on my playersand on my son would be most gratifying,” saysMcDowell. I want to make sure they prioritizethings in their lives and keep the right perspec-tive. I want to ensure my players, no matterwhere they go after they leave high school,continue to do their best and give the best theyhave to offer in everything they do.”

McDowell currently does fundraising forthe Legends baseball team, which consists ofactive and retired baseball players, and for theMake A Wish Foundation. With regard to hisHall of Fame induction, he says, “When I thinkabout it, I don’t think back on what I did, somuch as I think about my former teammatesand coaches. A lot of the hard work went intobeing part of a great team. I think about playerswho came before me who allowed me to evenbe in a position to achieve the things I did. I amthankful for their sacrifices. I try to use thegame of baseball to teach the game of life.”

West Park’s Own, Oddibe McDowell, To Be HonoredIn 2011College Baseball Hall Of Fame

West Park native, Oddibe McDowell, 2011 College Baseball Hall of Famer.


I am, I confess, a senior citizen. I’m onMedicare. I would hate to see my benefitsreduced. I would hate to have a co-pay on myhigh blood pressure medication. But, I alsoknow that America can’t go broke makingsure I don’t have to pay a $20 co-pay for mymeds.

We have talked before about fraud in thepayment of Medicare and Medicaid benefitsto bandits that are stealing billions every yearwith fraudulent claims. We have talked aboutseniors who “rent” out their Social Securitynumbers to doctors and drugstores that usethem to steal billions from the government.We have read about medical serviceproviders stealing seniors’ Social Securitynumbers to file fraudulent claims.

Congress, in its effort to accommodatephysicians, pharmacies and equipment sup-pliers, requires that claim payments be dis-bursed in 15 to 30 days to encourage thoseassisting seniors to continue and not with-

draw from medically supporting the elderly.The result is thousands of medical supply

companies and pharmacies sprung up sub-mitting illegal claims knowing that they willbe paid and then checked to determine thatthe claims are legit. Unfortunately, by thetime the government gets around to checkingthe validity of the claim, the illegals havepocketed the money, closed up shop, movedacross the street and opened up a new fraud-ulent medical supply company or pharmacy.

Good news. The Miami Herald headlineread, “New tech to help fraud fight.” Finally,after watching banks and credit card compa-nies use screening technology to detect pat-terns of fraud, Washington has decided tojoin in the hunt for Medicare and Medicaiddeceit. The example cited in the articledescribes a “local” medical equipment sup-ply company in Los Angeles having lots ofclients in San Francisco more than 100 milesaway.

For sure, no one in Jacksonville will rent awheelchair from a company in Miami whenthere must be hundreds of rental companiesbetween the two cities. Unfortunately, VISA,MasterCard, the banks, etc. have been usingsuch screening techniques for more than 40years.

Here is a simple suggestion, Medicare and

Medicaid administrators. Take the time toinvestigate a sampling of claims, say 20 per-cent of filings. Pay an extra 10 percent to allsuppliers so audited as compensation forwaiting. Eliminate 50 percent of the fraud bychecking before paying and you will haveaccomplished your goals: rooting out a bigsegment of the fraud, saving billions inunwarranted claim payments and compensat-ing the audited suppliers for waiting.

Want a simple way to stop seniors onMedicare and Medicaid from “renting” outtheir Social Security numbers? First time youcatch seniors pocketing money from rentingout their number cut off their benefits for 180days. Catch them the second time and theylose their benefits for life.

First, make sure seniors are aware of thepenalties for renting out their Social Securitynumbers. Second, make sure that they rentedout their numbers and not stolen by their MDor medical supplier.

Every day we read about “waste” inWashington. We must accept the fact thatthere always will be some degree of waste.

But, the number of lost dollars due to fraudand waste is staggering.

The same edition of the Herald that carriedthe article about Medicare printed an articletelling the story of billions of dollars in faultyaid given to Afghanistan. Bad enough thatbillions and billions of taxpayer dollars arewasted, but the article goes on to tell that thepeople of Afghanistan surely will fall into amajor depression once we pull out of theircountry and stop sending them billions thathave been ending up in the wrong hands orcurrently are providing technology thatAfghans will not be able to maintain afterNATO forces leave.

If we only were able to eliminate the bulkof waste on federal, state and municipal lev-els we would go a long way in eliminatingthe deficit. And, you and I, the taxpayers,would feel much better about paying ourtaxes.

We appreciate your opinions on this col-umn whether in agreement or disagree-ment. Please send your comments to (faxnumber) 305-662-6980 or email to <[email protected]>. Theopinions expressed in this column are notnecessarily those of this newspaper, its edi-tors or publisher.

KENNETH’S COMMENTARY

R. Kenneth Bluh VIEWPOINTMore than one way to cut Medicare and Medicaid fraud



BBYYCOMMISSIONER THOMAS DORSETT

Recently, I had thehonor and pleasure ofattending the NationalLeague of Cities SmallCities Council SteeringCommittee conferencein Beulah, NorthDakota. As the only

representative from the State of Florida, Iwas able to gain useful information aboutinnovative projects taking place in otherparts of the country.

Since attending the conference, Ihave been talking with the CityAdministrator about several ideas thatwere discussed there. These includedfocusing on the creation of a downtownarea for small cities, more specifically,considering SR 441 and Hallandale BeachBoulevard to serve as a possible down-town area. These, as well as other areas inthe City, are ripe for redevelopment and

improvements. Other ideas presented included work-

ing with National League of Cities ven-dors to showcase the City in a new, inno-vative way through streaming video con-tent and other customized media tools forthe City’s website. This service wouldallow the City to better communicate withan online audience.

Despite these tough economic times,our best years are ahead of us. I am sohappy to have represented the City ofWest Park on a national level. The con-ference showed me that even though WestPark is a relatively new city, we arealready a model for other cities and canbe proud of our many accomplishments.Borrowing the words from one confer-ence attendee, “The economic health ofour country depends on the economichealth of our small communities.”

If you have any questions or wish tomeet with me, please feel free to call meat 954.889.4163.

Small Cities Unite

BY COMMISSIONER RITA “PEACHES” MACK

Wow! This year’sGoombay Festival wasreally special.

Truly, this event isgetting better each year.We had many differenttypes of cuisine andthere were several tal-

ented performers from West Park and othercities. I saw members from all HOAs repre-sented, which is a good indicator that unityis growing in our community and we arestarting to portray the City as a place to callhome. This was our 3rd Annual GoombayFestival and preparations for next year’s

event have already started. We are alreadygetting inquiries about booths and enter-tainment. The Junior Junkanoo Goombaydancers were wonderful and the adultJunkanoo band has guaranteed they willreturn.

We are also considering a time changeso we can hold the Goombay Festival whenit’s cooler. This will allow us to have alonger event. If there is anything you as res-idents would like to see added to this veryexciting event in the future, please feel freeto call me. Every idea is a great idea! If, asa community, you would like to serve onour Goombay Festival Committee, pleasecall the City Hall office at 954.989.2688and inform staff of your interest.

Hooray for Goombay!

TTuurrnn IItt OOffff .. .. ..TTuurrnn IItt OOffff .. .. ..CCoonnsseerrvvee WWaatteerr!!CCoonnsseerrvvee WWaatteerr!!

BBYY VVIICCEE MMAAYYOORR BBRRUUNNSSOONN

As we celebrate 4th of July, I’d like toencourage all West Park residents to coop-erate in making this one of the safest andmost enjoyable holidays ever!

Independence Day has always had spe-cial significance in our city. All of us areblessed to live in the greatest city, state andcountry that the world has ever known. Weenjoy privileges and freedoms that exem-plify the zenith of human civilization.

While each of us has the right to cele-brate the birth of our nation in their ownway, no one has the right to endanger thelives or safety of others. This year let’s havesafe July 4th celebrations by observing thelaw and respecting the rights of others.West Park let’s display true patriotism, anda true appreciation for what it means to bean American! Let’s all work to keep thespirit of mutual respect and love for ourcountry alive, not just on IndependenceDay, but year round in the City of WestPark.

As you enjoy this holiday with familyand friends, I hope you will take a moment

to recognize how fortunate we are to live inthis country, this state and this very specialcity. West Park is a community with safe,clean neighborhoods, beautiful parks andexcellent surrounding schools. This highquality of life doesn’t just happen. It is res-idents working together to make life betterfor all.

I also urge you to reflect on the free-doms we enjoy as Americans. Pleaseremember those serving in the military whoare advancing the cause of freedom aroundthe world. Fly your flag proudly as we cel-ebrate our nation’s birthday, and have ahappy and safe 4th of July!


Staying Safe thisIndependence Day


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Pet Tips Brought to You by Pet Supermarket

Summer is the season for gardens and greenlawns, but keep in mind that some gardenproducts may pose a health danger to your dogor cat.

Most common garden dangers:• Herbicides: Pet paws are often irritated bywalking on lawns treated by chemicals such asherbicides (weedkillers). Pets often ingest lawnchemicals by licking their paws after coming incontact with treated surfaces. Keep your pet offtreated lawns and wipe their paws if lawn treat-ment is active.• Pesticides: Most pest baits contain poisonousingredients used to kill vermin that can beingested by your pet and cause harm. Make

sure your pet does not have access to pestbaits.• Poisonous Plants: A number of plants can bepoisonous and deadly to pets. Plants like lily ofthe valley, oleander, rhododendron, azalea,yew and foxglove among others. Keep yourpets away from them or remove the plants fromtheir areas.• Toxic Mushrooms: All types of mushroom cangrow in your grass. To avoid the risk of your petingesting toxic ones, its best to remove them all.

It can be a lot of fun for your pet to play in thelawn, but always be careful. Remember, if youthink your pet has ingested poison, go to a vetimmediately.

Lawn and Garden Dangers

Whiskers: A Cat's GPS SystemCat whiskers or "tactile hairs" are the long,

thick, flexible hairs on a cat's face. They arelocated in the top corners of the mouth and theouter edges of the nose.

Cats depend on their whiskers for sensingtheir surroundings and specifically for:• Measurement: The whisker's main use is tohelp the cat judge if he will fit through an open-ing. A cat's whiskers are about as wide as hisbody, if the whiskers fit so will the rest of him.• Navigation: Whiskers help the cat feel his wayaround. Whiskers can detect the smallestchanges in air currents. For example, a cat cannavigate its way a round a room at night byfeeling the way the air flow changes dependingon where objects lie. As the cat walks through

the living room and comes up to the sofa, he'llknow which way to turn based on the changein air current around the sofa.• Mood Gauge: If the cat is angry or defensivethe whiskers will be pulled back. If he is happyor curious, the whiskers will be relaxed and for-ward.

Never cut or trim your cat's whiskers or it willaffect your cat's ability to sense its environ-ment. Whiskers are like hair and nails, they fallout and are replaced on their own.

Pet Supermarket has everything a kittyneeds to stay healthy and happy. We carry alarge selection of brushes, grooming aids, toys,and premium cat foods. Come in and see ustoday!

FXM Research in Miami is looking for males and females 12 years or older that suffer fromTinea Pedis, Tinea Cruris, and/or Tinea Corporis to participate in an Open Label eight [8]study-visit clinical research study with the opportunity of recurrent study medication for one year.Medical Insurance is not required for study participation. Qualified participants will receive:

FXM Research en Miami está buscando hombres y mujeres entre las edades de 12 años o másque sufran de Hongos Entre Los Dedos De Sus Pies, Hongos Entre Sus Piernas/Muslos,

y/o Hongos En Su Piel para participar en un estudio de investigación clínico que requiere ocho[8] visitas con la oportunidad de medicamentos del estudio recurrentes por un año. Seguro Médicono es requerido para su participación en el estudio. Los participantes que califiquen recibirán:

Hector Wiltz, M.D., CPIBoard Certified Dermatologist • FXM Research Miami

Do you or someone you know have “Tinea Pedis/Athlete’s Foot”?Do you or someone you know have “Tinea Cruris/Jock Itch”?

Do you or someone you know have “Tinea Corporis/Ringworm”?

For more information please call / Para más información por favor llame:

¿Tiene usted o alguien que usted conozca “Hongos Entre Los Dedos De Sus Pies/Pie De Atleta”?¿Tiene usted o alguien que usted conozca “Tinea Cruris u Hongos Entre Sus Piernas/Muslos”?

¿Tiene usted o alguien que usted conozca “Tinea Corporal o Tinea En Forma De Anillo En Su Piel”?

(305) 220-522211760 Bird Road, Suite 452Miami, Florida 33175 • www.fxmresearch.com

• Evaluation by a Board Certified Dermatologist.• Investigational Study Medication at no cost.• Reimbursement for time and travel up to $350.00.

• Evaluaciones por un Dermatólogo Certificado.• Los medicamentos bajo investigación a no costo.• Compensación por tiempo y transporte hasta $350.00.


Recent reports of hackers infiltratingSony’s systems prompts me to wonder if bighigh-tech corporations such as Sony andApple are susceptible to hacks, then howhard could it be for information to beretrieved from our personal computers?

A report co-authored by WorcesterPolytechnic Institute computer science pro-fessor Craig Wills is equally unnerving. In astudy of 100 popular websites used by tensof millions of people, it was found that threequarters directly leak private information orusers’ unique identifiers to third-party track-ing sites.

The study demonstrated how the leakingof private information could permit track-ing sites to link many pieces of informa-tion, including browsing histories and con-tents of searches on travel and health web-sites. With all the data we freely give towebsites, from home addresses to phonenumbers, it’s relatively easy to acquireconsumer information.

Although there have been efforts made bythe government to regulate the leaking ofpersonal information — proposals outlinedby the FTC in its 2010 report on protectingconsumer privacy — it’s incumbent uponconsumer websites to start taking moreresponsibility for their users’ information.Until then, privacy regulations won’t makemuch of a difference.

It also is important that consumers makeevery effort to protect their informationwhen surfing the net, and more importantly,when shopping online. Consequently, here

are some measures to take in an effort to pro-tect your personal information:

• When online shopping, look for an “s”after the “http” in the address of the Webpage where you’re entering your credit cardinformation.

• Look for third party seals of approval,such as from the Better Business BureauOnline or TRUSTe’s Certified Privacy seal.Click on the seals to make sure they link tothe organization that created them, andweren’t put on the site without permission ormerit.

• Use a filter that warns you of suspiciouswebsites, like the SmartScreen filter includ-ed in an Internet Explorer browser.

• Keep your Internet browser updated.Newer versions often offer current technolo-gy aimed at maintaining privacy.

• Make sure to read a website’s privacypolicy before inputting information.

• Be especially cautious of any websitethat asks for your Social Security number orpersonal bank account information.

• When creating passwords, use a lot ofnumbers and symbols whenever possible.Many consumers use the same password forevery website they visit because it’s easier toremember, but you should use different pass-words for different websites.

• Accepting cookies when you visit a web-site can allow them to keep information onyou and your browser history. Sites shouldinform you of how they plan to use cookiesdeposited on your browser. You can opt outof online advertising cookies by visiting<www.networkadvertising.org>.

Of course, in today’s cyber world, nothingcan ever guarantee absolute safety online.However, taking these precautions will helpreduce your chances of being scammed andsuffering the unfortunate consequences.

Watch Al Sunshine’s “Money Watch”reports Monday-Friday beginning at noon.

CBS MONEY WATCH

Al Sunshine

Reports of hacking shouldmake us extra wary online

Most working people are employeesand they think like employees when itcomes to their financial condition. Thismeans their focus is on salary, health in-surance, 401k and vacation time. Yes,these benefits do impact your financialcondition but it is one-sided. It is on theside of what you have (assets).

We suggest that in order to attain fi-nancial independence, employeesshould begin to think and behave as abusiness owner. A business owner’sfocus is not only on what they have butmore importantly, what they owe (liabili-ties). This means accounts payable,which for individuals are items such ascredit cards, car loansandmortgages.Onthis side of the balance sheet, the busi-ness owner wants to minimize expenses.

What you have (assets) minus whatyou owe (liabilities) results in what’s leftover (net worth). $1 of assets and $1 ofliabilities means $0 in net worth. $1 lessin liabilities means you are $1 richer.

Many employees with more salarywill spend more, so they still have littlenet worth or financial independence.The car and house they own may befancier but they may still be broke.

Thebook,TheMillionaireNextDoor,de-scribes how a business owner thinks andbehaves.It is no secret how to become fi-nancially secure. It comes down to notthinking and behaving like an employeewhen it comes to your financial future.

Tonkinson Financial provideshands-on money management for themiddle class. They are located at:2398 South Dix ie Hwy. , Miami ,FL 33133. Phone: 305-858-1628

Securities offered through Securities America, Inc.,

member FINRA/SIPC, Rick Tonkinson, Margarita Tonk-

inson, Steven Tonkinson, Registered Representatives

Advisory services offered through Securities America

Advisors, Inc., Rick Tonkinson, Margarita Tonkinson,

Steven Tonkinson, Investment Advisor Representatives

Tonkinson Financial and the Securities America com-

panies are not affiliated.

Manage your FinancialCondition like a Business


FFRROOMM TTHHEE FFIIRREE DDEEPPAARRTTMMEENNTT

As you know, we are entering theextremely hot months of the year. To avoidillnesses such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke remember that prevention is the key!

Below is a list of helpful tips recom-mended by the Centers for Disease Control(CDC):• Drink more fluids (nonalcoholic), regard-less of your activity level. Don’t wait untilyou’re thirsty to drink. Warning: If yourdoctor generally limits the amount of fluidyou drink or has you on water pills, ask himhow much you should drink while theweather is hot.• Don’t drink liquids that contain alcohol orlarge amounts of sugar–these actuallycause you to lose more body fluid. Also,avoid very cold drinks, because they cancause stomach cramps.• Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay inan air-conditioned place. If your home doesnot have air conditioning, go to the shop-ping mall or public library–even a fewhours spent in air conditioning can helpyour body stay cooler when you go backinto the heat. Call your local health depart-ment to see if there are any heat-relief shel-ters in your area.• Electric fans may provide comfort, butwhen the temperature is in the high 90s,fans will not prevent heat-related illness.Taking a cool shower or bath, or moving toan air-conditioned place is a much betterway to cool off.• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fit-

ting clothing.• NEVER leave anyone in a closed, parkedvehicle.• Although any one at any time can sufferfrom heat-related illness, some people are atgreater risk than others. Check regularly on:

• Infants and young children • People aged 65 or older • People who have a mental illness • Those who are physically ill, espe-

cially with heart disease or high blood pres-sure.• Visit adults at risk at least twice a day andclosely watch them for signs of heatexhaustion or heat stroke. Infants andyoung children, of course, need much morefrequent watching.

IIff yyoouu mmuusstt bbee oouutt iinn tthhee hheeaatt::

• Limit your outdoor activity to morningand evening hours.• Cut down on exercise. If you must exer-cise, drink two to four glasses of cool, non-alcoholic fluids each hour. A sports bever-age can replace the salt and minerals youlose in sweat. Warning: If you are on a low-salt diet, talk with your doctor before drink-ing a sports beverage. Remember the warn-ing in the first “tip” (above), too.• Try to rest often in shady areas.• Protect yourself from the sun by wearinga wide-brimmed hat (also keeps you cooler)and sunglasses and by putting on sunscreenof SPF 15 or higher (the most effectiveproducts say “broad spectrum” or“UVA/UVB protection” on their labels).

Staying HealthyDuring Summer

Start the NEW YEAR with a NEW CAREER!If you're happy and you know it, have 15-25 hours a week and enjoy talking with people, thenthis might just be for you. The Doral Tribune, one of Miami's Community Newspapers, islooking for someone that is confident, has sales experience and knows how to sell newspaperadvertising. You can make lots of money, have a good time, and make a difference.

Want to know more about us? Go on a tour www.communitynewspapers.com

For more information about this salaried plus commission position,call Michael Miller 305-669-7030

6796 SW 62nd Avenue • South Miami, FL 33143 • Phone (305) 669-7355 Fax: (305) 662-6980

ARE YOU READY FORA POWER OUTAGE?

BY HJ FRANK

As hurricane sea-

son steadily

approaches, it is

again time to look at

how prepared

households are for a

storm and for pro-

longed power out-

ages. During past

storms, power out-

ages ranged from a few hours to a few

weeks, and some areas went for more than

a month without power. As a result, home-

owners in the South Florida have regularly

chosen to equip their residences with gener-

ators that are capable of powering their

homes for extended periods of time.

There are two well-known types of gener-

ators that have been on the market for many

years, and both provide viable options for

most home and business owners: portable

gas-powered models and fixed automatic

standby systems.

New Indoor Generators Great for SouthFlorida

In addition, a new product has hit the mar-

ket and it has the potential to be a game-

changer. Indoor systems, using large,

rechargeable batteries, offer an affordable,

safe and practical solution that can even be

used in an apartment, townhouse or condo-

minium. The systems do not require gas or

propane and provide one to four days of

silent, portable power. Such systems range

in price from $3,500 to $7,500, and while

they won’t run a central air conditioner, they

will run many household appliances includ-

ing lights, computers, microwave ovens, and

portable a/c units. These new indoor sys-

tems can also be equipped with portable

solar panels, so they can provide power

indefinitely during an outage.

Portable GeneratorsPortable gas-powered units are the most

common and widely available generators on

the market. These small crank-and-pull or

push-button ignition units do a fantastic job

operating the bare necessities such as a

refrigerator, lights and fans. It is crucial that

these generators be operated safely and

properly in order to avoid some very severe

hazards. Since they emit harmful carbon

monoxide, the portable generators should

never be used indoors or in partially

enclosed spaces. All appliances must be

connected directly to the generator using

heavy duty extension cords. The size of the

portable generators range from 2.5 kw to

10kw and cost approximately $900.

Automatic Standby GeneratorsA popular option in South Florida has

become the automatic standby generator

systems. They are fixed, permanently

installed units that power an entire home or

business continuously through extended

outages. Unlike the portables, these sys-

tems run on natural gas from a connection

to local lines or propane from a tank buried

underground, which offers a continuous run-

time of approximately four to eight days,

depending on the model. Compared to

portables, they are rather quiet and sound

similar to an idling car. The standby genera-

tors must be connected directly to a home’s

electrical panel and circuits by using an

automatic transfer switch, and it is important

to work with licensed professionals who are

familiar with all of the applicable local build-

ing codes. These systems will run virtually

everything in your home, including central

air conditioning systems. The cost for these

systems range from $15,000 to $32,000.

It is important to note that all generators

require maintenance and attention during

the off-season to help ensure that the equip-

ment is ready for use the following year.

In anticipation of this year’s hurricane sea-

son, generators are in high demand.

Individuals who are considering a purchase

should take the time to closely compare

their options and weigh the benefits, as it

has become apparent that extended post-

hurricane power outages are going to be an

inevitable reality in the Sunshine State.

Additional information on generators for res-

idences and small businesses is available at

www.generatortogo.com or by calling (561)

391-8190, or toll-free at 1-866-221-8100.

Hiram J. “HJ” Frank is the co-owner and presi-

dent of Boca Raton-based Personalized Power

Systems, Inc. (PPS). The company sells, installs

and maintains automatic standby generator sys-

tems that power entire homes and small busi-

nesses in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach

counties. It is the largest full-service dealer and

installer of these systems in the country and has

completed more than 1,000 installations in South

Florida since its inception in 1998. Additional

information on PPS and its automatic standby

generators for residences and small businesses

is available at www.generatortogo.com or by call-

ing (561) 391-8190, or toll-free at 1-866-221-8100.



The City of West ParkCongratulates

The 2011-12 Carver Ranches/HydePark Homeowners Association

Newly Elected Board

Pictured from left-to-right: Larry Hardy, 2nd Vice-President; Cloreta Morgan, 1st Vice-President; KeondraPierre-Eafford, Secretary; Marvin Price, President; Rosalie Jenkins, Financial Executive; Carolyn Hardy,Treasurer; Brenda Scott, Block Captain Coordinator


Start the NEW YEAR with a NEW CAREER!If you're happy and you know it, have 15-25 hours a week and enjoy talking with people, thenthis might just be for you. The Doral Tribune, one of Miami's Community Newspapers, islooking for someone that is confident, has sales experience and knows how to sell newspaperadvertising. You can make lots of money, have a good time, and make a difference.

Want to know more about us? Go on a tour www.communitynewspapers.com

For more information about this salaried plus commission position,call Michael Miller 305-669-7030

6796 SW 62nd Avenue • South Miami, FL 33143 • Phone (305) 669-7355 Fax: (305) 662-6980


BBYY VVIICCEE MMAAYYOORR BBRRUUNNSSOONN

As hurricane season approaches,Visions of Images, Inc. has designed doorhangers for West Park residents to notifyneighborhood leaders and emergency per-sonnel of residents who need urgent assis-tance after a hurricane. The door hangers

say “I’m OK” or “I need help.” Specific residents like older citizens,

handicapped and/or special need residentsare encouraged to stop by City Hall soon toreceive the door hangers.

For more information on emergencydoor hangers, please call the City of WestPark at 954-989-2688.

Emergency Door Hangers for Residents


BBYY PPAARRKKSS AANNDD RREECCRREEAATTIIOONN DDEEPPAARRTTMMEENNTT

The City’s Parks and RecreationDepartment will participate in the SummerFood Service Program during the months ofJune, July, and August.

The Summer Food Service program is pro-vided by the US. Department of Agricultureto ensure that all of Florida’s kids (up to 18years of age) have access to free, nutritiousmeals throughout the summer when they loseaccess to school meals they often depend on.It is a valuable resource in combating child-hood hunger within our communities.

Nutritionally balanced meals will be pro-vided to all children regardless of race, color,sex, disability, age, or national origin duringsummer vacation when school breakfasts andlunches are not available. All children 18years old and younger are eligible for meals atno charge and there will be no discriminationin the course of the meal service. The pro-grams are only approved for geographicalareas of need where 50 percent or more of thechildren qualify for free and reduced pricemeals during the school year. Summer feed-ing sites are located at camps provide meals toall children in the immediate vicinity in addi-tion to those enrolled in camp.

The following sites will be participating in

the Summer Food Service Program:

Mary Saunders Park4750 SW 21 StreetWest Park, FL 33023954-985-1990June 13 – August 12, 20111SSeerrvviinngg TTiimmeessBreakfast: 8:00am – 9:00amLunch: 11:00am – 1:00pm

McTyre Park3501 SW 56 Avenue/ MLK Blvd. West Park, FL 33023954-964-0283June 13 – July 29, 2011SSeerrvviinngg TTiimmeessBreakfast: 8:00am – 9:00amLunch: 11:00am – 1:00pm

To file a complaint of discrimination, writeUSDA, Director, Office of Adjudication,1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.,Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call toll free(866) 632-9992 (Voice). Individuals who arehearing impaired or have speech disabilitiesmay contact USDA through the Federal RelayService at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6136(Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunityprovider and employer.

West Park Participates inSummer Food Service Program


‘Summer Camp Off to a Great Start!’


‘Goombay Festival 2011’


Father’s Day Celebration

Free Consultation

THE HIRING OF A LAWYER IS AN IMPORTANT DECISION THAT SHOULD NOT BE BASED SOLELY UPON ADVERTISEMENTS.BEFORE YOU DECIDE, ASK US TO SEND YOU FREE WRITTEN INFORMATION ABOUT OUR QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPENSES

305-662-61786950 N. Kendall Drive Miami, Florida 33156

Telefax: (305) 662-9472 / 1-800-PANTERLAWwww.panterlaw.com

Medical Malpractice

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• Brain Damage• Death• Anesthesia Accidents• Drug Reactions• Paralysis

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BBYY AANNDDRREE EEUUGGEENNTT CCooddee EEnnffoorrcceemmeenntt

Do you know that it is the responsibility of each property owner to maintain the pub-lic right-of-way (swale area) that abuts their property?

Like other cities and the County, the City of West Park Code of Ordinances, ArticleIX, Section 64, was established to ensure that property owners maintain the swale area thatabuts their property by doing the following:• Mowing/trimming of all landscaping • Removing all junk, debris, litter and garbage• Removing all junk and inoperative vehicles• Removing all items that may impede vision or that may be hazardous to pedestrians ormotorists

Please do your part to maintain the public right-of-way as we strive to keep our Cityclean and beautiful. If you have questions or wish to report a code violation, please call954.989.2688.

CODE ENFORCEMENT CORNER





CCIITTYY DDEEPPAARRTTMMEENNTTSS DDIIRREECCTTOORRYY

Mayor Jones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .954.889.4153Vice Mayor Brunson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .954.889.4164Commissioner Dorsett . . . . . . . . . . . . . .954.889.4163Commissioner Fyffe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .954.963.7745Commissioner Mack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .954.889.4156City Administrator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .954.989.2688City Attorney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .954.768.9770City Clerk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .954.989.2688Building & Permits Dept. . . . . . . . . . . .954.989.2688Business Tax Licenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . .954.989.2688Public Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .954.964.0284Trash/Recycling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .954.964.0284McTyre Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .954.964.0284Mary Saunders Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .954.985.1990Code Enforcement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .954.766.2715Zoning Dept. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .954.266.6495Finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .954.689.4804Police Dept./BSO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .954.765.4321Fire Dept./BSO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .954.831.8210

SAME DAYDELIVERY AVAILABLEWe’ll help you find the perfect

arrangement or gift.

• Flowers

• Birthdays

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• Anniversaries

• Gift Baskets• Sympathy

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Hirni’s Wayside Gardens Florist9950 SW 57th Avenue • Pinecrest, FL 33156305.661.6266 • www.hirnisflorist.com

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q a i


I recently returned from Charlotte, NC,where I attended the press preview forToyota’s new Prius v hybrid vehicle, set tohit the nation’s showrooms in September. Icame away impressed not only with thenew vehicle, but with the overall achieve-ments of the Prius since its introduction 14years ago.

According to Prius product marketingplanner Erica Gartsbeyn, Prius has becomethe No. 1 selling hybrid in the world withmore than one million sold in the U.S. andtwo million more globally. She added thatsince Prius came on the U.S. market, it hassaved about 880 million gallons of gas,about $2 billion in fuel costs and keptapproximately 12 million tons of CO2emissions from entering the atmosphere.

“According to the Carnegie Endowment,if all vehicles on the road today averagedthe same 50 mpg that the Prius does, it

would reduce U.S. oil consumption byabout 2.4 billion barrels per year,”Gartsbeyn said. “Think of it another way —if everyone drove a Prius, we could reduceour use of imported oil by 70 percent.”

That said, the first new member of thePrius family is the Prius v, a midsize vehiclethat Toyota calls “a perfect fit for youngfamilies who value space, comfort, fuel effi-ciency and technology.” The Prius v sharesthe same Hybrid Synergy Drive System asthe current generation Prius Liftback, buthas been designed to deliver the comfort,convenience and flexibility that Toyotathinks young American buyers want.

To achieve that goal, Prius v engineersfocused on two key areas — aerodynamicsand weight reduction — to help boost thePrius v’s fuel economy and performance.The end result is a vehicle that resembles asmall SUV, one that is larger than itsLiftback predecessor and with 58 percentmore cargo space. There’s a 60/40-split rearseat that slides and reclines for passengercomfort and maximize cargo space at 34.3cubic feet. Aerodynamic design measuresoptimized the Prius v’s shape and resulted inan excellent 0.29 coefficient of drag (or Cd).

Prius v has the same four drive modes —

normal, Eco, Power and EV — as the cur-rent Prius, and produces 66 percent fewersmog-forming emissions than the averagenew vehicle. The larger vehicle causes fuelefficiency to drop a bit at 44 mpg in thecity, 40 mpg on the highway and 42 mpgcombined.

As for the interior, designers incorporat-ed efficient weight-saving materials in thenew Prius, including the optionalPanoramic roof made of a lightweight resinthat is 40 percent lighter than conventional

glass roofs of similar size. Prius v seats aretrimmed in SofTex, a unique material thatlooks like leather, but weighs about half asmuch and has more durability.

Pricing on the 2012 Prius v Hybrid hasnot been announced.

Ron Beasley is the automotive editor forMiami’s Community Newspapers. He maybe contacted by calling 305-662-2277, ext.261, or by addressing email to<[email protected]>.

Toyota previews the Prius v hybrid in Charlotte, NC

LET’S TALK CARS

Ron Beasley

New Toyota Prius v is more aerodynamic and larger than its Liftback sibling.–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

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Documents

West Park News 7.2011